Poll: 9 in 10 British Columbians support protecting old-growth
In our diverse province, 92% of people agreeing with each other on anything is nearly unheard of.
But it happened: British Columbians have spoken, and 9 in 10 support taking action to defend endangered old-growth forests.
The same number believe it’s important for the B.C. government to keep its 2017 election promise to take action on old-growth forests, including more protection, less logging, partnerships with First Nations and support for a more diversified economy. These are the results of a Research Co. poll Sierra Club BC recently commissioned.
These views are widely held across the province, with 90% or more in southern BC and the Fraser Valley, 87% on northern Vancouver Island and 83% in northern BC.
Clearly, an overwhelming majority of BC residents care a lot about old-growth forests. And this poll shows people understand how important it is to protect these carbon-storing trees as a way to tackle the climate emergency.
British Columbians understand that old-growth forests are globally rare and important, and should be protected as a legacy for future generations. They give us clean water and help clean the air. They capture and store carbon from the atmosphere, which helps defend communities from the extreme weather caused by climate change. They’re important for First Nations cultural values. Many important and rare species depend on old-growth. In the poll, about four in five British Columbians agreed with these statements.
But every day, across the province, more than 500 soccer fields’ worth of old-growth forests are still being clearcut. This is not only an ecological disaster that contributes to the climate crisis; it also undermines long term jobs in a diverse economy and the rights of Indigenous peoples.
Legal changes are needed to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in forestry laws in order to respect Indigenous jurisdiction and governance, support Indigenous-led conservation, and support economic alternatives for Nations that seek to protect more land. We encourage supporters to gain an understanding of UNDRIP and to learn about Indigenous law with resources from UVic’s Indigenous Law Research Unit.
The BC government has announced feedback processes to inform future changes to forest laws and practices. But when the government talks a good game and acts slowly while allowing endangered ancient forests to be clearcut rapidly, we call it “Talk and Log.” And right now, “Talk and Log” is putting all of us, and our kids, at risk.